English Premier League Captains Move to Stop Taking the Knee Before Matches

• English Premier League stars want to do away with taking the knee before games, arguing that the gesture has lost meaning
• The players have been taking the knee since 2020 as a way of putting pressure on the relevant authorities to enhance measures to fight racism
• Players like Marcos Alonso and Wilfried Zaha stopped taking the knee and chose to remain standing as their colleagues participated in the exercise

English Premier League captains are set to decide on taking the knee before matches, with a majority wanting it to stop.

The captains held a meeting last Thursday and there was a common consensus that the gesture had lost its intended influence.

Taking the knee was introduced in 2020 in a game between Aston Villa and Sheffield United. It was introduced at the height of social injustices under the banner of 'No Room For Racism.'

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This came after there were widespread reactions after an American citizen George Floyd of black descent, had been murdered. The idea was at that time received well, with many admitting that more needed to be done by the relevant authorities to promote equality.

However, as time went by, players and teams started to withdraw from the initiative, arguing that it had lost its meaning. Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Chelsea's Marcos Alonso stopped taking the knee, choosing to stand instead. Daily Mail reports that Bournemouth voted as a team to stop taking the knee.

The club captains are supposed to consult their teammates and make a decision ahead of the Premier League opener on Friday when Crystal Palace and Arsenal get the new season going.

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The Premier League is said to be ready to back any decision made by the players.

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Sports Brief has also reported that Darwin Nunez has sent a word of gratitude to his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah for the role he has played in helping him settle in quickly.

Nunez has appeared to put a shaky start behind him by bagging four goals in a substitute appearance before helping Liverpool win the Community Shield.

The striker arrived with a lot of promise after lighting up the Portuguese League last season. But a couple of point-blank misses and poor touches had fans doubting his potential.